ARM® – PPRA Associated

ARM® – Accredited Residential Manager®

The early-career certification for residential property managers

IREM’s prestigious certifications symbolize best practices, ethical leadership, and well-managed properties worldwide.

Become the resident expert with an IREM® ARM®

To become an effective residential property manager, you need to know it all: budgeting, leasing, maintenance, risk management, resident relations and retention – all while being accessible to your residents 24/7. And that’s exactly what the IREM® ARM® certification will help you do. It’s the residential property management certification that teaches early-career real estate managers the core competencies to manage residential properties successfully.

IREM and PPRA have a specialised track for the South African property industry

Property Manager Guy 1

Benefits of an ARM®

  • Make more money.
  • Go farther in your career. 93% of ARMs have supervisory responsibilities and manage between five and nine employees.
  • Expand your network. Meet future employers. And consult with your peers.
  • ARM® holders receive annual IREM membership and all the benefits that come with it.

Who should pursue the ARM certification?

  • Those in the early stages of residential property management wanting to demonstrate they have mastered core competencies
  • Managers residential property: Multi-Family Rental Communities, Condominiums, Homeowner Associations, Single-Family Homes, and Mixed-Use Property
  • Those needing to learn how to speak the languages of owners, residents, and investors

Minimum Requirements

  • For property managers in South Africa there is a fast track to the ARM if you have existing PPRA qualifications
  • At least 12 months (1 year) of qualifying residential real estate management experience.
  • Manage a minimum residential portfolio size (e.g., 30 units multifamily).
  • Must have performed at least 14 of 29 residential property management functions.

PPRA Fastrack

Click on the below to see the various requirements to get your ARM faster as PPRA graduate

PPRA Fast-track
PPRA StatusIREM Courses
(Code + Name)		IREM ExamNotes
Master Practitioner in Real Estate (MPRE)ETH800 – Ethics for the Real Estate ManagerARMXM – Accredited Residential Manager ExamAll ARM fundamental courses are waived. Fast-track route.
Professional Practitioner in Real Estate (PPR)MNT402 – Managing Maintenance Operations and Property Risk HRS402 – Leading a Winning Property Management Plan FIN402 – Budgeting, Cash Flow, and Reporting for Investment Real Estate ETH800 – Ethics for the Real Estate ManagerARMXM – Accredited Residential Manager ExamMKL410 is waived under PPRA partnership.
PPRA Candidate / Non-designated practitionerRES201 – Managing Residential Properties or CID201 – Managing Condominium & Homeowners Associations ETH800 – Ethics for the Real Estate ManagerARMXM – Accredited Residential Manager ExamStandard ARM route (no PPRA course waivers).

Size Requirements

Click below to find out more about the minimum residential portfolio size requirements

Size requirements

Minimum Size Standards

Residential Properties OnlyMixed-Use Properties
30 units – rental complex15 units – rental complex + 929 sqm non-residential
30 units – rental single-family homes—
75 pads – mobile home parks—
60 units – homeowners and apartment associations30 units – homeowners and apartment associations + 929 sqm non-residential
45 units – single-room occupancy and dormitory15 units – single-room occupancy and dormitory + 929 sqm non-residential

Functions Requirement

Click below to find out more about the functions requirements

functional requirements

Functions Requirement

IREM defines the activities performed by residential real estate managers according to 29 functions. In addition to managing a minimum size portfolio, you must be performing at least 14 of the 29 functions in order for any period of real estate management experience to qualify for credit toward the ARM certification.

  1. Recommend or hire, manage and evaluate on-site personnel, either directly or through others.
  2. Participate in identifying, developing and/or monitoring staffing requirements, job descriptions, human resource policies, training and development plans, and diversity outreach initiatives.
  3. Recommend or decide which items or services are to be purchased for the property, solicit, negotiate or approve contracts for services; monitor contractor performance; and approve payment of invoices.
  4. Perform routine property inspections and take appropriate action in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  5. Establish or assist in maintaining, reviewing, updating, and enforcing the property’s operating policies and procedures and occupancy/usage guidelines.
  6. Establish, monitor and/or maintain the property’s record-keeping system.
  7. Identify and/or oversee operation of building systems, supervise employees or monitor contractors who perform routine maintenance and repair work, and/or oversee or monitor planning and construction of resident improvements, capital improvements, and/or amenity enhancements.
  8. Schedule and monitor, or approve, routine and preventive maintenance programs for the property.
  9. Identify, implement, and monitor, or approve sustainable practices; including but not limited to energy use/conservation programs for the property.
  10. Design, implement or approve resident retention, orientation, and property familiarization programs.
  11. Communicate routinely with residents of the property concerning level of service and other management matters and investigate and resolve resident complaints.
  12. Develop, implement, and monitor or assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring a marketing plan and/or leasing plan for the property.
  13. Administer the leasing and lease renewal process and/or negotiate, approve and/or execute leases, including assessing the financial impact of the lease.
  14. Prepare, market, and show leasable space.
  15. Analyze market conditions and recommend or approve the property’s rental rates.
  16. Develop and/or implement a risk management program for the property to mitigate the property’s insurable risk.
  17. Participate in designing, implementing and/or monitoring life-safety and emergency preparedness programs for the property.
  18. Ensure the property’s compliance with government and environmental regulations and/or act as liaison with government or social agencies.
  19. Recommend and/or initiate legal actions for violations of leases, contracts or governing documents , including but not limited to evictions and filing of liens.
  20. Process and/or monitor, or approve, property payables.
  21. Process and/or monitor, or supervise, property collections, including the handling of property receipts and bank deposits.
  22. Prepare, implement, and monitor, annual property budgets.
  23. Determine goals and objectives of the property owner/association.
  24. Identify and recommend other sources of income for the property and implement programs accordingly.
  25. Prepare a management plan for the property.
  26. Prepare, analyze, and/or approve, the property’s financial and operating statements and variance reports.
  27. Establish or maintain management controls and analyze the property’s performance.
  28. Identify and analyze the property’s financial requirements and financing options, and/or replacement reserve requirements, and recommend funding sources to the owner.
  29. Fulfill the company’s contractual obligations to clients and take direction from clients and appointed officers as assigned.

The Process: Four Steps to Your ARM®

Learn more about earning the ARM (Accredited Residential Manager), we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process.

Arm Residential Property Manager Certification Learning On Laptop
1. Enroll

Download and complete the IREM–PPRA Registration Form

Arm Residential Property Manager Certification Learn Test
2. Submit

Submit both PPRA designation certificate (MPRE or PPR) and ARM application form below.

Arm Residential Property Manager Certification Apply
3. Pay

Pay invoice (ZAR or USD options provided)

Arm Residential Property Manager Certification Graduate
4. Graduate

Complete remaining courses then write your exam. Once passed your ARM credential is awarded

Enroll Now

Enrollment Process

1.Download the application.

2.Complete the form and sign . Electronic signatures suffice.

3.Submit the application form and supporting documents via the “Submit Application” Form.

4. Ensure you have read minimum requirements. Submit all documentation in order to minimize delays.

5. If you encounter any issues email us or call us.

Download Application FOrm
Submit Application
Greater recognition demands higher pay.

ARM® certification courses

The ARM is recognized as a preeminent certification for residential property management. That’s why earning an ARM comes with average base compensation that’s $19,120 more than the average property manager.

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Track 1: Managing Residential Properties

Total Investment: $425 USD (approx. R6,958)

Track 2: Managing Condominium and Homeowners Associations

Total Investment: $425 USD (approx. R6,958)

Track 3: Managing Mixed-Use Properties

Total Investment: $425 USD (approx. R6,958)
*Note: MXD201 can count towards both ARM and ACoM designations.

Many professionals like you are wondering if the Accredited Residential Manager designation is right for them. By watching this short video, you will understand the process for earning this certification, who it is for, and how it has benefitted other property managers like you. Let us help you decide if the ARM is the right step for your career!

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